Ant McPartlin's work return has been confirmed for Friday as he reunites with Declan Donnelly to front Britain's Got Talent.

Auditions for the new series begin on Friday January 18 at the London Palladium before moving to The Lowry in Manchester from Wednesday February 6 to 11.

It is coming up to a year since the 43-year-old presenter was last seen on screen after stepping down from his TV duties in April 2018 following a drink-driving conviction.

This resulted in Ant missing the final of Saturday Night Takeaway in Florida and the recent series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here which saw This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby step in to present live from the jungle.

The presenting duo were last on-screen together on ITV's Saturday Night Takeaway in March 2018 (Image: ITV)

The presenting duo have also made the shortlist for the Best TV Presenter category at this years National Television Awards which will be broadcast live on ITV on January 22.

The duo are also up for a second award with their show Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway which is up for the Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award.

Ant was convicted of drink-driving following a three-car crash in March in which he was more than twice the drink-drive limit.

Ant stepped away from TV to focus on is health in 2018 (Image: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)

The charge resulted in an £86,000 fine and 20 month driving ban. He then took time away to focus on his health and re-enter rehab.

Ant had previously spoken out about his struggle with a two-year addiction to painkillers following a knee operation.